By Chidi Ugwu
The Director-General, Civil Aviation, Nigeria, Capt. Chris Najomo has said emphatically that all mobile phones must be switched off during takeoff and landing of an aircraft in Nigeria.
He said the flight mode option is longer acceptable in Nigeria effective immediately.
Rising from the Emergency meeting of the National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NSASC) and Stakeholders Meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, Capt. Najomo said deeper synergy between all aviation stakeholders must be encouraged to stem unruly passenger behaviour and safety.
“As a takeaway and to avoid avoiding ambiguity and confusion, all mobile phones, and other portable electric devices should be switched off during the critical stage of flight on all Nigerian airlines. Switched off. Nothing like flight mode any longer” he stated.
“Nigerian air operators are therefore required to amend their operator’s manual to reflect this requirement and submit to the NCAA for approval” he further stated.
“We remain alert to future reviews of this requirement as aircraft technological enhancement improves” he said that “it remains the responsibility of the crew to communicate this requirement to the passengers and the responsibility of the passenger to comply with crew instructions.”
This has put to end to spate of passengers refusing to turn off their phones during take-off and landing on the guise, they’ve put the phones on flight mode.
The meeting saw attendance from airline operators, all critical security agencies, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, the Federal Ministry Aviation and Aerospace Development, the National Assembly, and other aviation stakeholders.
Capt. Najomo warned that unruly behaviour in the industry cannot be tolerated. “Henceforth, things wouldn’t be as usual. If you are unruly, you are unruly. From category one to category four, will be taken care of henceforth.”
Earlier in his presentation, the meeting is not about pointing fingers or apportioning blame – No, that would not achieve the desired results – It is rather about listening, discussing and awakening us to our individual and collective responsibilities towards a safe and secure air transport sector.
The objectives, he said include to Analyze and fully understand the chain of failures: technological, procedural, human, that permitted these incidents; Unify and strengthen inter-agency coordination, especially between NCAA, FAAN, AVSEC, security services, and law enforcement; Determine and deploy immediate corrective measures to ensure a safe and secure airport infrastructure and enforce personnel compliance and response; Identify “quick wins” and policy gaps, establishing mitigations that can be operationalized immediately-before the next threat emerges and; Reiterate the need to training, retraining and continuous training on matter relating to aviation security.
“I must emphasize that various documents deal with these kinds of breaches. From the Civil Aviation Act to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations to Security Programmes and Operations Manuals of service providers” he stated.
“But documenting rules alone, while being the first step, will not solve the problem. That is precisely why we are meeting today — to work together, share experiences, and enhance our awareness of those documented rules and procedures to prevent or contain unruly acts. We must summon the courage and professionalism to implement procedures without fear or favour” Capt, Najomo further stated.
The engagement he said addressed different aspects of the eco-system – the regulator, airline security, airspace security, airport security and of course, the travelling public who not only have rights, but responsibilities.
“Let us remember that the safety of our aviation system is the safety of our nation. The outcomes of this meeting must lead to tangible, immediate enforcement of operational protocols, public confidence restoration and strive to close vulnerabilities” he emphasised.
In his presentation on NCAA Regulatory Requirements and Policies Unruly Passenger Behaviour: A Consumer Protection, the Director Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michaeal Achimugu said recent events around unruly customer behaviour has brought out different shades to the crises.
“I am happy about the recent events. I am proud of the way the NCAA handled these issues. There is not one party involved who would repeat their errors. Not KWAM 1. Not Comfort. Not the pilots or cabin crew. But there are gaps in the system that need to be plucked as a matter of urgency” he emphasised.
He told the public that once you enter an airport terminal, the rules change. “Once you board an aircraft, the rules become even more strict. No matter the sentiments and opinion, SAFETY comes first. The guardians of that safety are pilot and cabin crew, and their authority is final. The passenger, beyond their rights, owes a responsibility of COMPLIANCE. The right time to argue over rules is not when an aircraft is about to take off” he stated.
“AVSEC needs to step up, regulatory enforcement needs to become more consistent and stringent. In the end, let us synergize and ensure that, after we have left the industry, people would say that civil aviation became better because of us, not in spite of us’ he stated.
The Director of Aviation Security Regulation at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is Dr. Omogo Bernard Onwe Chinedu whilst welcoming the participants said the committee has the mandate to coordinate security issues in aviation as empowered by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Act adding that the expanded committee to address important national civil aviation issues.
